It was moving day in the Riswick Apartment-hold this weekend. We were only moving up a few floors in my building, but I commandeered the long-term Silverado to donate our old sleeper sofa.
A few years ago, I remember reading that my home state of Indiana was the only one that allowed you to mount a couch in your truck's bed and sit in it whilst moving. I have no idea if it's true or not (couldn't find anything on the Internet), and my respect for California's laws prevented me from really trying it out, but my fellow Hoosier roommate decided to climb aboard to somewhat recreate such a scene while parked. Readers with a keen eye will notice such Hoosier inconsistencies as an import beer and a lack of mullet.
Sadly, our couch fun ended there, as I soon discovered that some days you just can't get rid of a couch.
My entire couch adventure immediately reminded me of the above scene from "Batman: The Movie" starring Adam West.
Having checked on the Goodwill Web site, I knew they didn't take sofa beds. So, we set off for The Salvation Army in Culver City. They don't take any large furniture. We were directed to The Salvation Army near our office in Santa Monica. They couldn't take it on Sunday because they couldn't open a large garage door for furniture. "Come back tomorrow," the Army sergeant or whatever said. We then drove around Santa Monica and went to Linens 'N Things with a sofa in the bed. Good thing the Silverado's back seat is so comfy, or my roommate may have been tempted to really ride Indy style.
So I came back tomorrow and upon arrival was told that they couldn't take the couch because of a few (minor) breaks in the leather. I was directed by the same Army sergeant or whatever to try going to a local shelter...which I couldn't find. Plan F involved going to the local recycling center, where after forking over $20 and getting my shoes splattered with brown garbage matter, the couch was finally off my hands. Having our trusty old couch end up at what was basically the dump (and paying for it!) was far worse than having that bomb go off around that "drunken riff-raff in the bar."
So some days you just can't get rid of a couch. Although in Indiana, I would've just left it in the bed to create the world's first eight-passenger Silverado.
James Riswick, Associate Editor @ 18,438 miles
thebigal says:
09:50 PM, 08/20/07
You mean you didn't just put it on the curb with a "free" sign on it? I'm sure it wouldv'e disappeared within a matter of hours... :D
automaton says:
10:57 PM, 08/20/07
"Free" almost never works - people assume there is a dead body hidden in the stuffing or something. Instead, mount a sign that says "Couch - $50" and I bet it would be stolen before day's end.
redliner says:
04:07 AM, 08/21/07
Or you could put a sign on it that says, "please steal my couch!"
banhugh says:
06:07 AM, 08/21/07
I 've been told that there is someone here paying $20 to take his couch. I will have three.
stingray454 says:
08:47 AM, 08/21/07
Yeah, getting rid of a used couch can be a real hassle. I just got rid of mine via Craigs list. It worked great, but it took 2 weeks to sell it, and had several no-shows of people who called to come look at it.
tackepj says:
10:01 AM, 08/21/07
Ouch. As I Hoosier, I must say that I resemble that remark. :)
Actually, as of July 1, 2007, all Hoosiers must now be belted, even in a pickup truck (unless registered as a farm truck).
jriz says:
10:25 AM, 08/21/07
I'm not sure if you're trying to be ironic there.
skierx420 says:
10:35 AM, 08/22/07
Next time just drive to the local college campus and leave in front of a house with those funny lookin (Greek) letters. They will enjoy it until it won't soak up any more beverages.